Toxic Release Data

PacifiCorp knows some of its activities have an impact on the environment. The company is committed to minimizing adverse effects and considering customers' concerns in its environmental decisions.

PacifiCorp supports the goal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), which is intended to provide citizens with information about potentially hazardous chemicals used by manufacturers in and around their communities. The TRI allows the public a way to participate in decisions about how toxic chemicals should be managed. By sharing this information on the Web, PacifiCorp helps to keep customers and neighbors informed.

While the TRI program requires PacifiCorp to report releases, it provides only part of the picture. This program does not evaluate the level of risk posed by these releases, nor does it provide any perspective from which risk judgments can be made.

For example, the program does not explicitly indicate that many "releases" are contained within PacifiCorp facilities or sites, never entering the surrounding area. A great deal of what is termed "total releases" is captured using air pollution-control equipment and is not released into the air as "emissions". Metallic emissions that do reach the air are released gradually over time with maximum concentration levels measured in parts per trillion. Some acids in air emissions often dissipate in the atmosphere within hours or minutes.

Putting the numbers in perspective

"Releases" are usually measured in parts per trillion or parts per billion. To put it in context, one part per trillion is equivalent to one square inch in 250 square miles; and one part per billion is equivalent to one second of time in 32 years.

Individual states and the EPA have stringent requirements for emissions from power plants. The emissions reported as part of the TRI program are permitted by Federal and State laws.PacifiCorp either operates or has an equity stake in the following coal power plants and mines that report data to the TRI program: